Douglas County Seeks Federal Grant for ‘Food Hub’

Douglas County officials say the county is applying for a federal grant to study the feasibility of establishing a “food hub” that would make it easier for county businesses to sell locally grown produce and meats.

The county’s Food Policy Council is applying for a $58,250 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It wants to use the money to study a system of linking producers and farmers in the region with larger institutions that want a steady supply of locally grown foods.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the federal grant would be matched with $10,000 from the Kansas Health Foundation. The money would be used to hire a consultant to analyze the market and determine what type of business model would work best in Douglas County.